Sanjay Manjrekar Questions India’s Selection for Boxing Day Test, Calls Shubman Gill’s Exclusion ‘Harsh’

Manjrekar critiques India’s team selection for the Boxing Day Test, highlighting concerns over balance in both batting and bowling.

Melbourne [Australia], December 26: Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed his disapproval of India’s team selection for the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Manjrekar described the decision to drop Shubman Gill as “harsh” and questioned the inclusion of Washington Sundar in the playing XI.

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Manjrekar Calls Out Team Selection

Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Manjrekar remarked that the change neither bolsters India’s batting nor significantly strengthens the bowling attack.

“Strange selection of the playing XI. On a non-turning pitch, the change made neither strengthens the bowling much nor the batting. Gill dropped, is harsh,” Manjrekar wrote.

Rohit Sharma Confirms Changes at Toss

During the toss, India skipper Rohit Sharma confirmed the exclusion of Shubman Gill and the inclusion of Washington Sundar in the playing XI. Rohit also clarified that he would continue to bat at the top of the order.

“We would have batted as well. The series is 1-1, a lot to play for, it gives us a perfect opportunity to show what we are as a team. Whatever situation lies in front of you, you have to fight. It’s a new day and we are looking forward to it. We have one change – Gill misses out and Washington comes in. Yes, I will bat at the top of the order,” Rohit said.

Boxing Day Test Stakes

With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series tied at 1-1, both teams are eyeing a victory in the Boxing Day Test to secure a crucial lead in the series and strengthen their chances for the ICC World Test Championship final.

Playing XIs:

Australia: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (WK), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.

As the match progresses, all eyes will be on how Washington Sundar fits into India’s strategy and whether the decision to exclude Shubman Gill will prove costly for the visitors.